We Energies cookies

For the second year in a row, We Energies is asking customers to submit recipes for its annual Cookie Book.

Original recipes can be submitted online at we-energies.com/recipes. Recipes will be considered for the 2013 book and possibly future editions. Customers also are encouraged to share the history behind their recipes.

The cookie book is part of a holiday tradition dating back more than 80 years. The first edition was published in 1928. For many years, the recipes originated in the home-economist-staffed test kitchens of the formerly separate gas and electric companies.

Recent issues of the We Energies book have featured recipes from former and current employees; last year, customer recipes were included for the first time.

The 2013 Cookie Book will be unveiled in November, with major distribution events at Miller Park in Milwaukee and Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton.

Customers who submit recipes will be notified in advance if their recipe is selected for this year's book.

Sendik's soup

The Balistreri Sendik's stores have announced a Community Soup Recipe Contest. Customers can enter through Sendik's website.

Ten winners will receive a $100 Sendik's gift card and a Sendik's prize package, and their soup will be featured in Sendik's deli later this spring and throughout the year.

The contest ends Feb. 5, and winners will be announced Feb. 28.

Pillsbury Bake-Off

The top prize is still a million bucks, but the 46th Pillsbury Bake-Off contest - now open for entries - has been redesigned.

The major changes:

For the first time in the contest's 64-year history, America will vote to determine all 100 finalists.

To encourage simpler, original recipes, submissions must include no more than seven ingredients (not counting salt, pepper and water) and take 30 minutes or less to prepare, not including baking or cooling time.

The contest now features three recipe categories (instead of four), each with a separate entry period:

Amazing Doable Dinners: This category is open now through Feb. 7. Voting is open from March 14 to 28.

Simple Sweets and Starters: Entry period runs from April 4 to May 9. Voting is open from June 13 to 27.

Quick Rise and Shine Breakfasts: Entry period runs from July 4 to Aug. 8. Voting is open from Sept. 12 to 26.

Judges will select 60 recipes from each category for public voting. Voters will select 33 finalists from the dinners and breakfast categories and 34 from sweets.